Midyear U.S. Construction Machinery Exports Up 15 Percent

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Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment increased in the second quarter of 2010. Total construction machinery exports at midyear were $7.4 billion, a 15-percent gain overall compared to January-June 2009 numbers, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Off-road equipment manufacturing trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Dept. data with other sources into global trend reports for members.

“These numbers are encouraging, especially after the double-digit declines of last year,” said Al Cervero, AEM senior vice president. “With U.S. markets still sluggish, they underscore the importance of global trade to the construction equipment industry. Export business helps U.S. manufacturers keep their doors open. Congress can help create more jobs by passing free trade agreements still pending with Colombia, Panama and Korea.”

The top destinations for U.S. construction machinery exports January-June 2010 were: (1) Canada - $2.4 billion, up 32 percent; (2) Australia - $625 million, up 32 percent; (3) Mexico - $549 million, up 8 percent; (4) Chile - $462 million, up 9 percent; (5) Brazil - $376 million, up 74 percent; (6) China - $242 million, up 15 percent.

– Courtesy of AEM